Now Commenting On:

Francona becomes 42nd Indians manager

Email

Print

Press Release |

The Cleveland Indians and Executive Vice President & General Manager Chris Antonetti today announced that the club has named TERRY FRANCONA Major League Manager, agreeing to terms on a four-year contract thru 2016.

Francona, 53, brings more than 30 years of professional baseball experience to the Indians organization as a player, coach and manager. He most recently led the Boston Red Sox to five playoff appearances, six seasons of 90 or more victories and two World Series titles (2004, 2007) over an eight-season span from 2004-11. He has twelve years of Major League managerial experience, having compiled a record of 1029-915 (.529), and previously guided the Philadelphia Phillies over four seasons from 1997-2000. His 744 wins with the Red Sox rank second in the 112-year history of the Boston American League franchise and he has received BBWAA Manager of the Year votes in six different seasons during his 12-year big league managerial career. His 1029 wins currently rank 7th among active Major League managers. Francona’s Major League coaching career began with the Detroit Tigers in 1996 as the third base coach on former Indian Buddy Bell’s staff after spending parts of 5 seasons (1991-95) as an instructor and manager in the Chicago White Sox farm system.

The Tucson, Arizona native has numerous ties to the Indians organization. Francona spent a portion of the 1988 season on Cleveland’s Major League roster during his 11-year playing career, which also included time with the Montreal (1980-85), Chicago-NL (1986), Cincinnati (1987), Milwaukee (1989-90) and St. Louis (1990) organizations after his first round selection in the 1980 June draft by the Expos. More recently, he served as Special Assistant to the General Manager for Cleveland during the 2001 campaign following his tenure with the Phillies. His father, TITO FRANCONA, played 15 years in the Major Leagues from 1956-70, six of which came with the Indians from 1959-64. Tito was an American League All-Star (1961), hit .363 in 1959 and led the AL in doubles in 1960 (36).

“Terry Francona brings a great deal of Major League managerial experience and leadership to the job,” said Indians General Manager CHRIS ANTONETTI. “During his career he has consistently won at a high level while transitioning young players to the big leagues and is adept at leading a clubhouse.”